Benefits Of Ditching Your Bed
Does this mean you should reject outright the possibility of sleeping safely and soundly on the ground? Clearly, there is a subset of people who perceive that the quality of life benefits associated with floor sleeping outweigh the consequences.
Langmeier admits that everyone’s anatomy is different, and for certain people, it could actually work. The support structure and amount vary for each individual spine and person. One needs to take into consideration their body’s comfort, conformation, and structure.
Dr. Jeffrey Golden, a spinal surgeon at NYU Langone Medical Center, concurs with Langmeiers point. Sleeps very personal, he stated in an interview with Quartz. Golden confirmes that from the perspective of preserving spine health, evenly distributed support is key. He also reiterates that there is no research to suggest that mattresses are healthier than Japanese-style tatami mats or other alternative sleep surfaces.
It May Offer Relief From Back Pain
Many people believe a firmer mattress is better for back pain, including 75% of orthopedic surgeons. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke also recommends those with back pain sleep on a firm surface.
The causes for back pain are numerous and diverse. Depending on whats causing your back pain and what your preferred sleep position is, its possible a firmer sleep surface could provide some relief. For example, its common to experience back pain during pregnancy. Although most pregnant women likely prefer beds, some may find sleeping on a firm surface like the floor to be more comfortable.
Some people sleep on mattresses that are too soft for their body weight. When a mattress is too soft, you are more likely to sink deeply into the mattress. This can lead to poor sleep posture that causes your spine to curve out of alignment. This misalignment can increase pressure on your spine and contribute to back pain.
In one meta-analysis of 24 studies, researchers found that of all mattress types, medium firm mattresses were consistently shown to provide the most relief from back pain, along with improved spinal alignment and sleep quality. However, medium firm mattresses are still significantly softer than the floor.
Reasons For Having A Low Back Pain While Sleeping
Most people assume that the pain in their backs is just from poor posture or sitting in an awkward position for too long. However, this isnt always the case. Many times, the pain can be attributed to sleeping in the wrong position.
If you find that youre waking up with a sore back, its worth considering whether your sleeping position could be to blame. Here are some of the most common reasons why you might experience low back pain while sleeping:
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What Is The Best Way To Sleep On The Floor
The following tips may help people who are sleeping on the floor for the first time:
- Ensure that the sleeping area of the floor is clean and free from clutter that could cause injury or accidents.
- Experiment with layers of bedding, such as blankets, pillows, thin cushions or mattresses, mats, or pads.
- Try out some different positions to see what suits best and where someone may need extra support, such as more bedding or a pillow. Pregnant people may prefer to support their bump when lying on their side, for example.
- Start by sleeping on the floor for short periods, such as by napping there or only sleeping there for part of the night. Gradually increase the length of time as the body grows accustomed to the firmer surface.
- It may help to place plywood under a mattress to increase the firmness level. People who are thinking about sleeping on the floor could try this first to grow accustomed to the firmer feel.
- Be sure to air any mattresses and bedding that touch the floor whenever possible. This can prevent mold from forming.
Who Shouldnt Sleep On The Floor
People might report several health benefits of sleeping on the floor. But, dozing off on the floor is not ideal for everyone. It can lead to serious problems for some people.
- People with restricted mobility If you have limited mobility, you will have trouble getting down on the floor and then climbing up.
- Older people As you age, your immune system becomes weaker. Thus, you become more prone to catching a cold or other illness.
- People with orthopedic conditions If you have some preexisting condition like arthritis or osteoporosis, laying on the ground might worsen your pain. Thats because your joints will not get adequate support, leading to stiffness.
- Side sleepers Sleeping on your side puts the pressure of your entire body on a small area. Thus, your shoulders and hips need extra cushioning that the floor fails to provide.
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> > > Back Pain & Sciatica Watch Here
Other back pain causes include lumbago and cauda equina syndrome. Your physician will ask about your symptoms, examine your back, and conduct an examination. The diagnosis will be based on the severity of your pain, but your symptoms should subside within two months. If the pain persists, you should consult a doctor to make sure it isnt something more serious. The best treatment for back pain is to rest and avoid physical activity.
If your back pain persists after a few weeks, you should consider a more serious diagnosis. There are many different types of back pain. Some people have a spinal disorder, which is more severe than others. Its important to get proper diagnosis and treatment for back pain. You should also make a lifestyle change that promotes your health and keeps you from experiencing pain. You can also see a physical therapist if you have a specific type of injury or if your back problems are recurring.
In addition to exercising, you should do light physical activities. Gentle exercise can help alleviate back pain. Yoga and pilates are both excellent exercises. The best exercises for backache are those that increase muscle tone and flexibility. You can also try over-the-counter pain relievers or heat to reduce the pain. If youre experiencing severe pain, your doctor may recommend a stronger medication to ease your symptoms. If the pain persists, you should consult with a medical professional and make an appointment with a physician.
Not Comfortable For Most
The plain truth is the fact the floor sleeping simply isnt going to be comfortable enough for the vast majority of people. If you are used to sleeping on a mattress, then the floor will provide quite a shock to the system. It might make for a restless night.
Also, it can be too cool for some sleepers. While it may be fine during the summer months, sleeping on the floor during cold winter months might be too chilly and uncomfortable for those in the Northern hemisphere.
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Do You Have Neck Or Back Pain Your Sleep Style May Be Contributing
If youve ever woken up with a tingling arm or achy neck, youve experienced the negative effects of sleeping in the wrong position.
The key is alignment: When you sleep with your spine in a neutral position, it reduces the strain on your back and neck. It also helps to sleep on a firm surface.
So which sleep positions should you embrace and which should you avoid? Heres a rundown, from best to worst.
How Do You Prepare For Floor Sleeping
Some people associate floor sleeping with camping and sleeping bags. However, sleeping on the floor doesnt have to be a rustic experience to be effective. You may find shifting to ground level uncomfortable at first until you get used to it. As you make the transition to floor sleeping, there are some things you can do to maintain your comfort:
- Place a mat or blanket on the floor to sleep on so youll still have some cushioning under you
- Make an effort to sleep on your back to maintain a neutral position
- Give your body time to adjust to sleeping on a hard surface that retains your natural spinal alignment*
*You may wake up with stiffness or discomfort at first, but these sensations should go away over time as your spine adjusts.
When your discomfort reaches a point where its chronic , consider trying different options like sleeping on the floor. If youre not keen on the idea of ditching your mattress to gain a more productive nights sleep, another possibility is to choose a pillow that doesnt elevate your head as much so your spine will retain its natural alignment. Sleeping with a pillow under your knees or on a body pillow may achieve the same goal.
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It Can Increase Back Pain
Some floor sleepers have reported an increase in their back pain, although there is significantly less research on this topic. Most people shift from mattress to floor just because their mattress hurts their back. According to a study from Havard medical school, you can try a firm mattress, set plywood or box spring under the mattress, or sleep on a mattress on the floor to reduce back pain.
Is Sleeping On The Floor Beneficial For Back Pain
If youre like most people, youre conditioned to sleeping on a nice, comfortable mattress. While theres nothing wrong with having something supportive to rest on after a long day, your mattress could be causing back pain. Sleeping on the floor is an option you may not have thought of if youre living with chronic back pain. However, its important to consider whether floor sleeping is good for your back or not. A trusted Santa Monica back surgeon at The Spine Institute can examine how sleeping on the floor could be beneficial for your back.
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Is Dreamcloud Good For Back Pain
According to the National Institutes of Healthback pain is one of the most frequent health problems of our Society. Its projected that 8 out of 10 Americans suffer from occasional or chronic back pain problems.
If you are one of those people who suffer from back problems, youll be wondering if your mattress could be the reason. The answer of sleep experts to this question is absolute: the mattress you choose is decisive when it comes to alleviating your back-pain problem.
Though most experts do not recommend a specific brand, they recommend that the back-pain sufferers follow some general advice.
If youve got a pain in the back, you will need to buy the firmest mattress you can find, right? Not so fast champion! Although that has been the frequent sense, there is in reality no good research that confirms it.
Experts in Spine-Health indicate its very important to balance back pain relief with relaxation. You may pick a mattress that is hard, you can feel a little relief from the back pain for some time, but you could suffer from joint pain or pressure. The specialists also indicate that a mattress that is medium-firm term could be the ideal decision to find that balance.
Dreamcloud is a mattress thats worth trying. In actuality, there are lots of those who have already tried it and state that the DreamCloud has helped them a lot to relieve their back pain.
Does It Help Your Posture
Another anecdotal benefit is improved posture.
Again, theres some merit to the claim. Soft surfaces let your spine curve, while hard surfaces provide support. People say the firmness of the floor helps their spine stay straight.
But without any scientific proof, its best to be careful if you have spine problems. If you have poor posture, or a spinal disorder like scoliosis or kyphosis, ask a doctor if floor-sleeping is safe for you.
Though some people feel better after sleeping on the floor, there are also potential side effects.
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Can Help With Back Pain
While there isnt scientific evidence to support the benefits of sleeping on the floor for back pain, some floor sleepers say that the floors rigidity keeps their spines aligned and relieves shoulder tension.
This argument is most prevalent when comparing the floor with mattresses that are too soft. If your mattress is too soft, your spine can curve inwards and be out of alignment, leading to increased back pain.
That being said, if you want to try to alleviate back pain, you might want to first consider doing some yoga for sleep to help you decompress and get ready to hit the hay before deciding to sleep on the floor.
Does Sleeping On The Floor Help With Sciatica
People who suffer from sciatica pain find lying on the floor for back pain an easy solution. This is because the spine bones tend to ease out when you sleep on hard surfaces. This relaxes the sciatic muscles, which reduces your sciatica pain. According to research, sleeping on a medium-firm mattress boosts sleep quality, promotes comfort, improves spinal alignment, and regulates the flow of blood.
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Sleeping On The Floor: Should You Do It
Sleeping in a nice, cozy bed, surrounded by mountains of pillows and warm blankets is the norm for many people in the U.S. The sizes vary, too. You can sleep in kingly comfort, with all the room you need, tone it down to a modest queen, or be uber practical with that contemporary twin.
The thought of trading your bed for the floor is not a thought that has crossed the minds of many. But, sleeping on the floor is actually not uncommon its standard in many cultures worldwide.
While many have traded their beds for the minimalist approach of flooring sleep, many still wonder what the benefits a hard floor could possibly offer when it comes to a good nights rest.
Here, we take a look at some of the benefits of sleeping on the floor, helping you decide if its something worth a try for yourself.
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Can Keep You Cool
Since heat rises, sleeping lower to the ground means you might sleep a few degrees cooler. Ideally, youll want to sleep in a room thats 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit, but if you tend to sleep hot or cold, you might want to adjust the temperature based on that.
However, with the advanced technology of cooling mattresses that are designed with perforations to regulate your temperature, you can sleep cool on a mattress, without the need to sleep on the floor.
Exposes You To Allergies
Unfortunately, the floor doesnt have any protection layer like your mattress and collects dirt, dust mites, feces, and skin cells. Sleepers prone to allergic reactions and breathing issues may have a hard time sleeping on the floor. Floor sleepers with allergies have a high risk of experiencing running noses, itchy eyes, throat problems, coughing, and breathing issues.
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Sleeping On The Floor Because Of A Bad Back
Youd be amazed at how many people weve heard tell us that their spines feel so much better now that theyve started sleeping on the floor. We always want people to find a solution that works for them, but know that these results tend to be more anecdotal than clinical. In other words, there isnt a lot of scientifically-backed evidence that suggests sleeping on the floor could help with your herniated disc, pinched spinal nerve or degenerative disc disease.
That being said, the idea that sleeping on the floor could help with your back pain isnt all that far fetched. A 2015 systematic review found that medium-firm mattresses often promoted improved sleep quality and better overall comfort compared to many softer models. The firmer mattress actually helped to better disperse stress and alleviate pressure points in certain areas of the spine, making it an ideal sleep option.
And while the floor is obviously much harder than a medium-firm mattress, it stands to reason that if your bed is ultra soft or youve had it for close to a decade and the padding or springs have worn down, it may be putting your spine in an uncomfortable position while you sleep. Even though it may not feel outright uncomfortable, if you wake up with hip, neck or back pain, or you find that youre rolling around in bed a lot to find a new comfortable position, it could be a sign that your mattress is too soft and that youd benefit from a firmer option.
Utilize Pillows For Both Your Head And Joints
When setting up your temporary ground bed, youll want to have at least two pillows on hand but they arent just for your head. One will be used to support your noggin while the other will provide cushion for your knee and perhaps your hip joints.
Now, its not like youre recovering from knee surgery you arent trying to lift your knee high into the air. Rather, you want thinner pillows just to provide a little extra cushion, and prevent your joints from pressing against the hard ground. When it comes to the additional pillow padding, however, it all depends on your preferred sleeper type.
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